Theatre celebrates anniversary

PORT McNEILL—Gate House Community Theatre will celebrate the one-year anniversary of its reopening July 1 with a special party and free movie at 7 p.m.

The festivities anchor an ambitious summer schedule that kicked off with a rap/DJ concert put on by local teens last Saturday and will include another concert, a choral workshop and a Missoula Children’s Theatre production in addition to a regular lineup of movies.

The downtown theatre was shuttered for more than 20 years before being purchased and reopened by Steve Jackman in 2009.

Last summer, he sold it to the Gate House Community Association, a non-profit society dedicated to promoting and providing a space for local performers, artists and students.

The Gate House society kicked off with a Canada Day party, and will celebrate its first anniversary the same way, with cake, coffee and other refreshments before the free showing of a movie yet to be named.

The theatre also announced the return of its Classic Tuesdays movie night, featuring classic movies under a common theme each month. Fridays are pre-release new movies, and Saturday afternoons see showings of family-friendly matinees.

On July 14 the theatre will host Illiteratty, a Vancouver-based, multi-disciplinary band that performs folk, pop/rock, celtic, blues and jazz styles. The show begins at 7 p.m.; ticket prices are to be announced.

The following day Earle Peach will put on a choral clinic for singers of all ages, from 12:30-3:30 p.m. The cost for the clinic is $10 for adults and $5 for youths.

On Aug. 4, Gate House Theatre welcomes back Missoula Children’s Theatre for two showings of Hansel and Gretel, a musical variation on the classic fairy tale featuring Port McNeill elementary school-aged children in the acting roles and as assistant directors. Auditions for the presentation will be held at the theatre July 30.

For more information, call the theatre hotline at 250-956-4141 or visit gatehouseca.org.